Remember those Caravan Holidays at the Beach?

Ah, the nostalgia...hands up baby boomers who remember those idyllic holidays by the sea in Kiwi campgrounds? For the first time in almost a decade, Papamoa Beach Top 10 Holiday Resort is making new caravan sites – known as 'Weekender sites' – available for holidaymakers wanting to leave their caravans on-site. Eight extra sites are available under a 12-month arrangement from October 1. Given the popularity of the Mt Maunganui-Papamoa coastal strip, they’re likely to be snapped up quickly.

The resort's Rebecca Crosby, says Weekender sites have traditionally been occupied by the same family members for 10 to 20 years or, in some cases, 30 years or more. “The sites get handed down within families,” she says. “It's a great way in these tough economic times for families or couples to have the nearest thing to a beach holiday home or bach without the big financial outlay.” Rebecca says the Weekender sites offer all the advantages of a bach and are designed for people to come and enjoy some time away from home.

“As the only beachfront resort complex in Papamoa, we provide everything needed for a fantastic Kiwi beach holiday. Besides the usual summer attractions of sun, surf and sand, the kids can amuse themselves in our adventure playground and leave Mum and Dad or the grandparents in peace to read the weekend papers and breath in the fresh air all year-round.

“The Weekender sites seem to appeal most to families and to older couples. Our holidaymakers come from far and wide, but a lot are from rural communities in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato. They seem to enjoy beach life.”

Non-sea view Weekender sites cost $4410 per annum from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010. So popular are the Weekender sites, only two new ones with sea views are available - costing $5950 per annum.

Terms include exclusive use of the site for holiday purposes for up to six family members staying for up to 100 nights. They automatically have full use of the resort's facilities during their period of stay. Additional nights can be arranged and extra people accommodated within the 12-month period at a reasonable price.

Papamoa Beach Top 10 has been owned by the Crosby family for more than 40 years. They know what holidaymakers are looking for and believe the Weekender sites on offer will prove a hit.

Papamoa Beach Top 10 has impressive facilities in line with its name. These include covered barbecue area and private spa pool, petanque and mini tennis court, wireless Internet and car wash as well as immaculately presented amenity blocks to rival the best in New Zealand.

Papamoa Beach Top 10 welcomes enquiries about its Weekender caravan sites. Further information is available on the resort's website at www.papamoabeach.co.nz

Free Camping Clamp Down

Heading for the Coromandel and thought you’d save with a bit of ‘roadside’ camping? Think again. Thames Coromandel District Council is clamping down on the practice. A bylaw which is now in force sets a fine of $40 for anyone not camping in a campground or holiday park. The council says problems associated with freedom camping - public drinking, waste disposal, and disorder - were increasing.